Bart Smekens

Bart Smekens is a Researcher at the Clinical Trial Centre of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium, with active research output spanning 2017-2025. His work focuses on tropical disease clinical trials and evidence generation for global health systems.

His research centers on:

• Schistosomiasis treatment through antimalarial repurposing (artesunate-mefloquine)
• HIV-leishmaniasis co-infection dynamics
• Diagnostic device development for resource-limited settings
• HIV prevention strategies including PrEP optimization

Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals strong emphasis on pediatric schistosomiasis trials in Africa, biomarker-driven leishmaniasis prediction models, and innovative blood sampling technologies. His work consistently addresses treatment gaps in neglected tropical diseases through pragmatic clinical research.

Dr. Smekens contributes to international health capacity building, notably through the 2018 Cambodia project strengthening national health institutes. As part of ITM's Clinical Trial Centre, he collaborates across 8+ countries with focus on Ethiopia, Senegal, and Cambodia, leveraging microscopy, biomarker analysis, and cross-sectional study designs to advance tropical medicine.